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In a defining moment of the 2025 Tour de France, Belgian cyclist Tim Wellens produced a spectacular solo breakaway to seize his first-ever stage win at the prestigious race. The UAE Team Emirates-XRG rider crossed the finish line in Carcassonne after a commanding ride on Stage 15, a 169.3km route that served as a breather following three brutal days in the Pyrenees.
Wellens, who has spent much of the race selflessly supporting his team leader Tadej Pogacar, was granted the freedom to ride for personal glory—and he seized the opportunity with both hands.
A long-awaited Tour de France triumph for Tim Wellens
The 34-year-old Belgian attacked on the final categorized climb, the Pas du Sant, roughly 55km from the finish. Surging away from a group of eight riders, he was joined briefly by Victor Campenaerts, Michael Storer, and Quinn Simmons. But when the terrain opened up, Wellens made a decisive solo move with 44 kilometers to go, creating a gap that the chasers simply couldn't close.
"I felt super good today," Wellens said after his dominant win. "On the last climb of the day, I felt really good. I knew the others felt really good but I knew I had to go solo… I kept riding until the finish line because I wanted a big gap to enjoy it and maybe put my bike in the air after the finish—but I was so happy I forgot to do it."
Tim Wellens eventually won the stage by 1 minute and 28 seconds ahead of Campenaerts, with Julian Alaphilippe rounding out the podium in third. The win also marked UAE Team Emirates-XRG’s fifth stage win this year—all others claimed by Tadej Pogacar.
Tadej Pogacar still in control of the General Classification
While Wellens stole the spotlight, Pogacar did exactly what he needed to: retain the maillot jaune. He crossed the finish line safely within the peloton, preserving his 4-minute 13-second lead over Jonas Vingegaard in the general classification (GC).
"This week was one of the hardest second weeks of the Tour that I have ridden… The gap is now big but we still have big mountains to come. We need to fight until the end," Tadej Pogacar said, reflecting on the grueling terrain and upcoming challenges.
The race now heads into its second rest day, with a brutal 171.5km mountain stage to Mont Ventoux looming on the horizon. While Pogacar holds a firm grip on the yellow jersey, anything can still happen in the Alps.
In a touching moment, Pogacar also commented on his teammate’s win: "I am more happy for him today than when I win. Beyond happiness."
Stage 15 Top 5 Results:
Tim Wellens (Bel/UAE Emirates XRG) – 3hrs 34mins 9secs
Victor Campenaerts (Bel/Visma-Lease a Bike) +1min 28secs
Julian Alaphilippe (Fra/Tudor) +1min 36secs
Wout Van Aert (Bel/Visma-Lease a bike) Same time
Axel Laurance (Fra/Ineos Grenadiers)
Current General Classification after stage 15:
Tadej Pogacar (Slo/UAE Emirates-XRG) – 54hrs 20mins 44secs
Jonas Vingegaard (Den/Visma-Lease a Bike) +4mins 13secs
Florian Lipowitz (Ger/Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) +7mins 53secs
Oscar Onley (GB/Picnic PostNL) +9mins 18secs
Kevin Vauquelin (Fra/Arkea-B&B Hotels) +10mins 21secs
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